The Roxborough 07/30/20

Chatfield State Park, Littleton, Colorado

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. ~ Proverbs 28:13

We’ve really enjoyed starting and spending our day slowly for a change.  Today it was nigh on 9am before we left home, and we were back home by 2:00.

Needing some exercise, we visited Roxborough State Park, just up the road from us, and took on two loop trails with a combined distance of roughly six miles.  We need that.  We’ve not really curtailed our eating habits, but we’ve been much less active these past few days.

There were other interesting goings-on besides the jutting rocks and long distance viewing.  A monk (we assume based on how he was dressed) came to visit.  His head was shaved, and he wore a long white hooded robe with a blue sash.  We didn’t take a picture, as we thought it would seem kinda rude.

This Park, as do many others, has a strict “No Pet” rule.  There were signs everywhere.  And yet, just like at other parks we’ve been too, people choose to ignore the signs.  Some places you could understand how they could possibly be overlooked – faded, or partially overgrown, or maybe only one in place.  But here, there are plenty of opportunities to see them – big and bold.  No question.  And yet, we saw a couple on the trail with a little mutt.  We wondered at that, but said (not very convincingly) that maybe it was a seizure alert dog or something.  Not our problem.

However, it became a huge problem for them when they got back.  We were sitting on a bench outside the Visitor Center eating our lunch, when I noticed a Ranger hand the guy something, and point in our direction.  The couple, along with their now very expensive dog, came up and sat across the patio from us.  For the enjoyment of the dog’s company, they received a $100 citation!  I hope it was worth it!

Then, as Blaine was returning our lunch bag to the Jeep, I witnessed another couple enter a Park trail, this time with two large dogs.  The volunteer from the VC, came racing out and snagged them just before they disappeared around the corner.  I heard her tell them there are at least 10 signs between the parking lot and where they were, stating the ‘no dog’ policy.  Then she made them leave.  I guess, because they didn’t actually take them on the trail, they got away without a citation.  Wonder if they’da been charged $100 or $200 since they had two dogs? 

Our afternoon and evening were peppered with calls and texts from loved ones!  How blessed we are!